Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city centre of Glasgow it’s sometimes hard to remember why
it’s called the ‘Dear Green Place’. So why not follow our trail and discover the best green spaces
in Merchant City and our favourite food stops for coffee, cake, take away sandwiches or a
delicious meal along the way!

George Square
George Square was laid out in 1781, part
of the innovative Georgian central grid
plan that initially spanned from Stockwell
Street east to Buchanan Street. This was

reflected in the growing rational influence of
the Scottish Enlightenment, along with the
similar development of Edinburgh's New
Town. This grid iron masterplan across the
lands of Meadowflats and eventually as far
west as Blythswood Hill, was largely the
work of the notable contemporary architects James Barry, James Craig and James Gillespie Graham.
The square has often been the scene of public meetings, political gatherings, riots, protests,
celebrations, ceremonies, parades and concerts. Perhaps the most famous was the 1919 Black Friday
rally, when campaigners for improved working conditions (particularly protesting a 56 hour working

week in many of the city's factories) held an enormous rally, with at least 90,000 protesters filling the
square and the surrounding streets.

Rottenrow Gardens
The terraced Rottenrow Gardens are situated on the sight
of the old Rottenrow Maternity Hospital. Here you will see

cutting edge modern landscaping techniques fused with
Victorian architecture, beds filled natural bio diversity
planting and relaxing green spaces. The gardens feature
a 'Monument to Maternityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a seven-metre high stainless
steel sculpture in the form of a giant nappy pin. The
sculpture, designed by Scottish artist George Wyllie, has
previously been exhibited in New York. The garden won
a commendation in the Scottish Design Awards 2004.

Medieval Garden/ St Nicholas Garden
As the name suggests, this cloistered garden behind Provand's
Lordship, reflects the building's possible links with the Chapel and
Hospital of St Nicholas. The garden has two distinct parts. On the
outer edge is a physic garden containing plants which were in
common use for medical purposes in the 15th century, while at the
centre is a knot parterre, based on a Celtic design, illustrating the

development of more formal gardens which occurred in the
Renaissance period. The covered cloister area contains carved
cloister area contains carved grotesque
heads, dating from 1737, which
originally formed the arch keystones of
the Tontine Hotel piazza in the Trongate

Zen Garden
The first Zen garden in Britain is found at St. Mungo’s
Museum of Religious Art where you can discover some
amazing facts about the world’s major religions, and

the story of religion in the west of Scotland. The garden
is part of the museum café, which opens out into it.
With its white gravel, grasses and stones it is the perfect
space to rest and recuperate.

Necropolis
The Glasgow Necropolis was described by James Stevens
Curl as "literally a city of the dead". Based on the design of
the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris; the cemetery, as most
early Victorian cemeteries, is laid out as an informal park,
lacking the formal grid layouts of later cemeteries. The
cemetery's paths meander uphill towards the summit, where
many of the larger monuments stand, clustered around the
John Knox Monument. A great space to explore and discover
some historic graves!

Glasgow Green
The Green is oldest of the city's parks. In 1450, Bishop
Turnbull gifted the common lands of Glasgow Green to the
people of Glasgow. Initially it was used for washing,
bleaching linen, grazing, drying fishing nets and for
swimming. For centuries it functioned as the city’s only
green public open space. Features to look out for are the
people’s palace and winter gardens, The Doulton Fountain
the largest terracotta fountain in the world, Templeton’s
Carpet Factory/ WEST Brewery and the towering Lord
Nelson monument.

1. Pinto
This is a casual dining restaurant with 'an eclectic mix of funky
and contemporary' style. It serves up freshly made burritos,

nachos, tacos and salads, to eat in or take away. The restaurant
is also fully licensed and stocks beer, wine and Margaritas to
get you into the Mexican mood!

2. Urban Pind
The hustle and bustle of the Merchant City is what attracted Urban
Pind to the area, and they thought it would be the perfect place to
create their vision. Once you step inside the restaurant and
sample the food you will agree with them. Urban Pind is as

pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palette.

3. Esca & E2
Offers an exciting blend of modern and traditional within its
warm and comfortable surroundings. A subtle blend of classic
Italian and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, the menus and
wine list will transform your meal into an unforgettable
experience.

4. St Mungo’s Café
The Café is situated within the award-winning museum which
explores the importance of religion in people's lives and art across
the world and across time. It aims to promote understanding and
respect between people of different faiths and of none. Highlights
include Britain's first permanent Zen garden.

5. Rose & Grants
Rose and Grants is a delicatessen/coffee shop
and the home of the Glasgay! Festival; which

runs from mid-October to mid-November.

6. CafĂŠ Gandolfi
Cafe Gandolfi was opened in the old cheese market in 1979. It
has built up an enviable reputation for the unique provision of
Scottish cuisine at affordable prices - whilst winning awards along
the way, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inviting, sophisticated and charming with a relaxed

atmosphere and quality cuisine.

7. Ingram Wynd
Ingram Wynd offers contemporary Scottish cuisine in a great
Victorian-style period dining room. The kitchen only use Scottishsourced produce, so you can tuck into Loch Duart salmon, roast
Jerusalem artichoke or marinated venison and skirlie.

8. Merchant Square
At the heart of the Merchant City, Merchant Square has a great
range of family-friendly restaurants and cafes, all with bistro-style
seating. There are regular events and markets throughout the year,
all set in the beautiful, covered courtyard.

9. Café India
The renowned cuisine, together with the restaurant's vibrant,
opulent atmosphere, will guarantee you an unforgettable

experience at Café India.

10. Sapporo Teppanyaki
Sapporo Teppanyaki prides itself in offering a unique and at
times highly dramatic dining experience through the
established teppanyaki chefs and their combined culinary
skills. Emphasis is focused on excellent service, great food and

first class hospitality, all served against a background of stylish
Japanese décor.

11. WEST Brewery
WEST are a proud and passionate business and it is their
mission to brew the finest beer produced in the UK, to serve
all customers, as best they can.

The Green Places Trail

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city centre of Glasgow it’s sometimes hard to remember why it’s called the ‘Dear Green Place’. So why not follow our trail and discover the best green spaces in Merchant City and our favourite food stops for coffee, cake, take away sandwiches or a delicious meal along the way!